Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1887-10-21
LONDON SOCIETY.
Changes Effected In Its Etiquette by tine
Lively American Maiden.

Within the last twenty years there
have arisen great changes in London
society, rs the days are passed when
the aristocracy ruled as well over the
social as over the political world.
These changes have been brought
about by the immense fortunes made
in trade and finance, and by the
spread of liberal ideas that have dis
PEELED the notion that a nobleman Is to
be worshipped simply on account OF
mis- rank. The men who have amasseu
wealth in speculative channels are gen.
orally prodigal in their expenditures,
and thus it is that these pnrvenus, US
they are styled among the upper tier
live i'm more ostentatious and even
princely style than many nobleman,
who is often burdened with entailed
estates that, year by year, are declin-
ing in value. Among the old aristo-
cratic families there was so much for
mality and etiquette that it is pleas
ing excitement among the younger
branches to tend the varied entertain
ments offered by these princes OF ii
nance, to which, in many cases, are in
vited the most eminent men in politics,
literature and the arts. 1t was thus
that society in London became fused,
while at the same time it has been
broken up into cliques and sets that
turn in their own orbits, with the
court as a central stellar attraction.
Still another element in these
changes in society is formed by the
Americans who pass the season in Lon
don. These are men Of the world,
who, In their intercourse with English
men, dispel many OF those old fash
toned, narrowminded, ideas with
which the mind of the average British
er is so replete. These foreign finan-
ciers for years past have held intimate
relations with leading firms or bank
ing houses in the great metropolis, and
through their introductions they at
once assume as prominent II position in
| London's social circle rs they held in
their own country. 1t is true that
complaints are rife among American
families. that it is far more difficult for
the ladies to extend their social rela-
tons than it is in the case of the men.
This is easily explained. The English
lady has already large circle of ac-
quaintances among her London and
country friends, and looks with dread
on the ceremonial visits necessitated
by the making of new acquaintances
| Then, even if she occupies one of the
spacious mansions of Be'gravia or Ken
sington, she has but limited rooms for
her parties, so she has to issue perhaps
n thousand invitations when there are
accommodations for merely couple
of hundred. In some cases the circle
of acquaintance is so enlarged that it
is necessary to divide her guests into
two sets, and even then there are
many who, on mere Introduction,
feel sighted because they do not re.
ceive an invitation.
1t is stated that there are a great
many American girls in London, and
that they have produced marked eff.
feet in social circles. This is easily tc
| be believed, as there is such marked
difference between the English cir
and her American cousin. 1t is al
, old tradition in the British isles thai
the girls should be brought up il
rigid seelusion in their own family
, circle. Their animal spirits are sup
, pressed. for fear they should becom,
hoydens or romps, or if addicted tt
saying smart things, that they should
acquire the horrible name of clever
girl. Even when they make theil
debut, by an introduction at court
they are held under the strictest rule
and surveillance. SO it is not aston
| ishing that SO many girls in England
make ill-assorted marriages, in orde
to escape this thraldom at any cost
, When they are married they are NOR
likely to abuse their newly acquired
1 freedom than if they had been brough
up under less rigid regime
, With the American girl there is
marked contrast in the way of educa
ton. From an early age she is mad
a the pet of the households; so much Sc
that in many instances her sweet viii
| is law. She is quick, impetuous, APP
to speak her thoughts in concise
| clever manner that imparts zest t.
I conversation. The wel-bred Ameri
. can girl has travelled in many climes
, has picked up mass of general in
. formation. and is not bashful in show
ing her many accomplishments to al
y vantage. She is for the most par
pretty, graceful and well dressed, and
as the Parisians say, she possesses tn
taste and tinesse of a married woman
together with the grace and charms c
= a maiden on her promotion. As
a rule, the British mater familias look
+ somewhat askance at her free deport
n ment but that signifies little to tn
5 bright American girl, who, in man
t cases, will secure the prizes In tn
= matrimonial market, and who, i
5 turn. through her wealth and position
t will effect many more changes in Lor
!. don society. San Francisco Chror
r icie.
q Natural Oepravity.
u Mrs. Peterby, of Austin, Tex. is